Photos: Saffron Farms in Ghaenat, Iran

Iran has long been a significant source of high-quality saffron production and export which accounts for up to 95 percent of saffron production in the world. These photos by Mohsen Noferesti show saffron farming in the city of Ghaenat in northeastern Iran.

Saffron is a spice derived from the dried stigma of
the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the
family Iridaceae. The flower has three stigmas, which are the distal ends of the
plant's carpels. Iran ranks first in the world production of saffron, with more
than 94 percent of the world yield. Other minor producers of saffron are Spain,
India, Greece, Azerbaijan, Morocco, and Italy (read more on wikipedia).